VINELAND – Cumberland County Republicans this evening backed former FBI agent Robert Tukavage for Congress in the 2nd District, giving him a boost in the lead up to an all-important showdown this coming weekend in Atlantic County.

Turkavage’s first win further splintered the field of seven contenders and dealt a stunning blow to former Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi, who was the favorite at this convention in his home county held in his home town.

The victor beat Fiocchi by one vote.

Turkavage: 15

Fiocchi: 14

Singh: 11

Grossman: 6

Toto: 1

“This isn’t Chicago or Detroit, so you only get to vote once,” Cumberland Party Chairman Mike Testa told party members just before he counted the ballots.

“We have an open convention,” he told InsiderNJ afterwards. “As open as it can get.”

Five of the seven contenders spoke prior to delegates voting.

James Toto. He has the line in Salem County. Somers Point Councilman. Disabled veteran. Commercial helicopter pilot. Air Marshal for six years. Ocean City Public Works employee. “That gun did its job when it’s in the hands of the right person,” he said, referring to the take down earlier today of a shooter. …We’re from South Jersey, we work.”

Sam Fiocchi. He has the line in Cape May. Former Assemblyman from Vineland. Businessman. Son of a WWII veteran who died when Fiocchi was 11. Pumped gas as a kid. Among friends. Wanted to give back, so got into politics. Cumberland County Freeholder. Then Assembly. Loved it. “I voted against gun measures,” he said.

Hirsh Singh. Burlington and Ocean. Engineer from Atlantic County. Ran unsuccessfully for Governor last year. Threw $1 million at the race. “I’m a pro-Trump Republican,” declared Singh. Merit based immigration program. “I’m the only one who can bring the money to put the Democrats in their place.” Having won Burlington and Ocean, he urged Cumberland to vote for him tonight “to put me over the top” so he can focus on the opposition in the general.

Seth Grossman. Movement conservative from Atlantic County. Pro-Trump. Can untie the Lonegan and Christie wings of the party, he argued. “I know Jeff Van Drew, his fingerprints are all over unpopular legislation. I can exploit that.”

Robert “Turk” Tukavage. Cumberland. From Brigantine. “As a congressman, you want to not only survive but succeed in this sea of polarization called Congress.” For 32 and a half years, he served as a special agent. Supervised a public corruption squad in New York City. Was across the street when the towers came down on 911. Healthcare reform. “Congress didn’t deal with the other half of the equation.” Temperament important. “When I was a supervisor in the bureau, I dealt with conflict on a daily basis. I will get along in order to get things done.”

Neither Mark McGovern nor Brian Fitzherbert (who has Gloucester) received sufficient support to participate in the process.

Making it more confusing, five of the candidates hail from Atlantic, which is scheduled for Saturday.